Lurid testimony opens Douglas manslaughter trial

Thursday

Dec 6, 2012 at 6:00 AMDec 6, 2012 at 7:34 PM

By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Just before Lisa Stilkey jumped to her death from her home’s second-floor window, she accused her husband of cheating on her — and of forcing her to have sex with other men while he watched — in an intense, alcohol-fueled argument that prosecutors say preceded her death.

Testimony followed opening arguments in Worcester Superior Court yesterday. Mrs. Stilkey’s son, 23-year old Timothy MacIntyre, testified that he had talked to his mother on Feb. 10 as she was arguing with her husband, Allen M. Stilkey, 41, of 38 Gilboa St. in Douglas.

Mr. MacIntyre said his mother, who was crying as he talked to her, said Mr. Stilkey had called her a whore, and told him other disturbing things “about how he makes people come and have sex with her while he watches,” Mr. MacIntyre said. He said he could clearly hear his mother and his stepfather, Mr. Stilkey, arguing.

Mr. MacIntyre said he could hear Mr. Stilkey, a former national arm-wrestling champion, threatening to kill her in the background as he spoke with her, Mr. MacIntyre told investigators.

Police and prosecutors say Mrs. Stilkey jumped out of a window in the couple’s home on Gilboa Street, after her husband threatened to kill her.

Douglas Police Officer Anthony Yannino testified yesterday that when he arrived at the couple’s house, he found Mrs. Stilkey was lying on the grass outside, with her husband beside her.

“She was rolling around from side to side in obvious pain,” Officer Yannino said. “Blood was coming out of her mouth.”

Officer Yannino said he tried to stabilize her neck and spine.

“The first thing she said to me was, ‘I need the police,’ ” Officer Yannino said. He said she was rapidly declining; he smelled alcohol on her breath. Officer Yannino testified that Mrs. Stilkey told him that she jumped, and then she angrily uttered a vulgarity.

Officer Yannino said he then spoke with Mr. Stilkey, and Mr. Stilkey told him that he and his wife had been arguing.

“He said they had been arguing about just about everything,” Officer Yannino said. Mr. Stilkey told the officer that they have two businesses together, and it was supposed to be date night, and she accused him of cheating.

Paramedics arrived a short time later, and Mrs. Stilkey was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Dr. Katherine Lindstrom, the medical examiner who conducted an autopsy of Mrs. Stilkey, testified that Mrs. Stilkey had abrasions and contusions all over her body, and a number of broken ribs.

“The cause of death was blunt force injuries of the torso,” Dr. Lindstrom said.

Pamela Baribeault testified that she was a good friend of Mrs. Stilkey’s, as well as her work supervisor at Masterman’s in Auburn.

She said she also knew Mr. Stilkey and they had socialized over the years. When asked to describe her friend, Ms. Baribeault said she was just a very nice, outgoing person. “She loved life,” she said. “You always knew where you stood with Lisa.”

Ms. Baribeault said her friend told her she had problems in her four-year marriage with Mr. Stilkey. Mrs. Stilkey had told Mr. Stilkey she wanted a divorce during a trip to North Carolina to visit his mother in January, Ms. Baribeault said. But Mrs. Stilkey came back from the trip relaxed and recommitted to her marriage.

“She told me she was going to try to work things out,” Ms. Baribeault said, and said her friend told her, “ ‘I love him and I’m willing to give him one more hard try.’ ”

Ms. Baribeault broke down when she spoke of the last day she would see her friend, on Feb. 9. She said Mrs. Stilkey was “her normal self” that day.

Ms. Baribeault cried while she testified. Many of Mrs. Stilkey’s friends and family also wiped tears from their eyes.

Mr. Stilkey has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, threatening and possession of steroids. He remains in custody in lieu of $75,000 cash bail.